Question about symptoms...
Submitted by Missy Violet an... on August 1, 2011 - 10:20amMy almost 9 year old, Karma, has not been himself lately. The main thing that I noticed was that he'll wake up from a deep sleep and sit and pant for a while. He's done this periodically in the past, but now more frequently. I check his gums and take his temperature when it happens, and both are normal. After one particularly long middle of the night episode I took him to the vet. He did a complete check exam, blood work, x-rays...everything came back normal, in fact, vet said it looked great for his age. His thought was maybe he was having some gas so we've been giving him a pepsid once a day. I've now noticed that he seems to have a lot of phlegm caught in his throat...he seems to have a hard time getting it up, but it's pretty much when he first wakes up only. He's more lazy and seems to like to lay on the hard floor more than his bed. Like eveywhere, it's been so hot here, but we keep the house very cool and they only go out, do their business and come right inside. Now this morning he spit up a little bit, just some yellow bile, and didn't have much of an appetite, which is very unusual for him.
I don't know whether to chalk it all up to allergies and hot weather or what? By the way, the vet exam was only about 2 weeks ago. Any ideas? Is anyone having similar experiences with the weather & allergies?
Thanks!
Missy
no experience with allergies, but the phlem..
we get a lo of. james hates it, but i squeeze lemon juice (the concentrate, not minute made) in his mouth and it works really well!
Silverback's Immaculate Interception, "James"
Sounds like symptoms of
congestive heart failure. The waking up/sitting up/panting/lethargic can be the beginning signs of fluid accumulating in the chest. Please be 100% sure the vet knows what he is talking about.
We have had 3 dogs with CHF and they all had the same symptoms your dog is showing. I would double check with the vet.
Lynn King CPDT-KA
that's what I thought..
That's what I thought too. I was so relieved when I did take him in and he assured me it wasn't. He is a "bulldog vet" and has been seing him since he was a puppy. I guess I should get a second opinion at this point.
That was my first guess as well.
The other thing I thought is that possibly he is just too hot in the night with the weather the way it has been. I don't know where you live in the country, but where we are my dogs are having a hard time right now with the dry heat. But my best thoughts would be a second opinion is in order.
One other thing. I would try yogurt in his meals, twice a day every day, for gas related issues. One tablespoon each meal of plain, fat-free yogurt works wonders for my girls digestive system. I give Wal-Mart brand. nothing fancy, but none of my 4 dogs have gas unless they eat something out of the ordinary of their normal diet.
Amy and Sophia
Does he sleep with you?
It could be he is just hot and the phlem is from the dry heat. But don't over look Lynn's message as well. It is always important to make sure there is no medical issue for the symptoms, especially since he is a senior.
possibly age too?
i hope its not heart failure... maybe your bully is finally getting old and achy? my 14 yr old gabby stopped sleeping on the bed about 6 months ago and prefers the carpet on the floor now. she also gets more snacks in between meals because her tummy gets upset when empty, then throw up the bile.
sincerely, christine
Thanks...
......for the input, going to take him to the vet tomorrow am for another check.